DK Travel : Cancún and the Yucatán

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula has a special atmosphere and an immense variety of attractions, including some of the world’s best beaches and diving areas. The modern, glittering resorts of the east coast’s “Mayan Riviera” lie alongside charming old Spanish Colonial towns, sleepy Mayan villages, and the awesome remains of ancient civilizations.

El Mesón del Marqués, Valladolid

Valladolid’s foremost hotel also has its most distinguished restaurant, with tables around a plant-filled patio. Its versions of local specialties like pollo oriental de Valladolid (see Pollo Oriental de Valladolid) are definitive.
El Mesón del Marqués, Valladolid

Valladolid’s classic hotel occupies one of its finest old colonial houses, with rooms set around several flower-filled, elegant patios. There’s an excellent restaurant and a pool.
El Mexicano, Valladolid

The restaurant in the Quinta Real hotel (see Ecotel Quinta Regia, Valladolid) is cool and pretty. Its menu makes use of fresh local ingredients, including produce from the hotel garden.
El Paraíso, Tulum

Many of the cabaña-clusters along Tulum beach have bars, but Paraíso, near the ruins, has the best view, with a big terrace for catching the breeze.
El Rey Ruins, Cancún

This was a relatively small Mayan city, but its layout, including a clearly visible “main street”, makes it easy to imagine people coming and going, buying and selling.
El Rey, Cancún

The relics of the historic occupiers ofCancún Island .
El Sombrero Popular, Mérida

A little hat shop opposite the market, with a very friendly owner who will show you piles of handmade panamas in all sorts of styles and sizes.
Embroidery

Lush flower designs are made by Mayan women on traditional huípil dresses, handkerchiefs, and tablecloths.
Enchiladas

In southern Mexico, these rolled soft tortillas with various fillings tend to be served with a rich mole sauce.
Equinoxes, Chichén Itzá and Dzibilchaltún

The visual effects integral to these Mayan cities – such as the “descent” of the sun down the serpents on El Castillo at Chichén and the striking of the rising sun through the Seven Dolls temple at Dzibilchaltún – were timed to happen on the spring and fall equinoxes. Today, over 80,000 people visit Chichén for the day; crowds are smaller at Dzibilchaltún & (see Chichén Itzá.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under $5
- $5-$10
- $10-$20
- $20–$35
- over 35
Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under US$20
- US$20-$45
- US$45-$80
- US$80-$130
- over US$130